Bloody Tales of the Tower

Why it took five blows to decapitate the Duke of Monmouth in July 1685

Tudor historian Suzannah Lipscomb and journalist Joe Crowley investigate the history of the Tower of London, examining stories that challenge accepted beliefs about the infamous prison using original historical sources and dramatic reconstructions. Here they consider why it took executioner John Ketch five blows to decapitate the Duke of Monmouth in July 1685, and examine whether former inmate Lady Jane Grey had a legitimate claim to the English throne. They also look into how a ragtag gang managed to breach its defences during the Peasants' Revolt in June 1381 and killed Simon of Sudbury, the Archbishop of Canterbury